}}{{tnr}}'''James "Jase" Bolger''' is a [[Republican Party|Republican]] member of the [[Michigan House of Representatives]], representing District 63 since January 1, 2009 and currently serving as [[Speaker of the House]].

}}{{tnr}}'''James "Jase" Bolger''' is a [[Republican Party|Republican]] member of the [[Michigan House of Representatives]], representing District 63 since January 1, 2009 and currently serving as [[Speaker of the House]].

Line 59:

Line 59:

Bolger has come under fire in 2012 in the wake of a primary [[James Bolger#Elections|controversy]] in [[Michigan House of Representatives elections, 2012#District 76|District 76]].

Bolger has come under fire in 2012 in the wake of a primary [[James Bolger#Elections|controversy]] in [[Michigan House of Representatives elections, 2012#District 76|District 76]].

*Excerpt:"As a local small business owner, Jase Bolger understands the solutions we need to create jobs and make Michigan competitive. Representative Bolger has made working for jobs his top priority."

+

'''Putting Us First'''

+

*Excerpt:"Jase Bolger has demonstrated he has the courage to oppose special interests and work for us. State government is struggling because our families are hurting. He stood strong to control spending and make sure state government lives within its means."

Rep. Bolger graduated from Charlotte High School and attended Western Michigan University where he earned his Bachelor's of Business Administration. He achieved dual majors in Finance and Political Science. Rep. Bolger has been married to his high school sweetheart Molly for 15 years. They have two children together, Nicholas and Megan.

Issues

Campaign Themes

Excerpt:"As a local small business owner, Jase Bolger understands the solutions we need to create jobs and make Michigan competitive. Representative Bolger has made working for jobs his top priority."

Putting Us First

Excerpt:"Jase Bolger has demonstrated he has the courage to oppose special interests and work for us. State government is struggling because our families are hurting. He stood strong to control spending and make sure state government lives within its means."

Sneak Attack, Lawmakers voting on whether to allow public schools to EXPAND THE USE OF SINKING FUND property tax spending.

Grapes of Wrath, Lawmakers voting on whether TO BAN home shipment of beer and wine to Michigan consumers.

Subsidize Manufacture of Electric Cars, Lawmakers voting on whether to authorize a refundable Michigan Business Tax credit for makers of plug-in traction battery packs used in electric cars.

Authorize Special Tax Breaks for Ethanol Gas Stations, Lawmakers voting on whether to authorize a non-refundable Michigan Business Tax credit equal to 30 percent of the costs incurred by a gas station to convert existing pumps and tanks, or acquire new ones that deliver E85 ethanol or biodiesel fuel.

Elections

2012

Bolger ran unopposed in the Republican primary on August 7 in District 63. [3] The general election is on November 6.

Controversy

Bolger is embroiled in controversy as a result of a press release from Kent County Prosecuting Attorney William Forsyth which revealed that Bolger and incumbent Roy Schmidt were involved in a plan to tilt the election in Schmidt's favor. Schmidt had defected to the Republican Party just before the primary, and made an arrangement with Bolger to pay 22 year-old Matt Mojzak to run as a Democrat in the election, but not actually conduct a real campaign. On this move, Forsyth claimed, "it is clear that the only logical reason for his [Mojak's] recruitment was to prevent the Democratic Party from mounting a viable write-in candidacy."[4]

Forsyth deemed that no laws were broken, stating, "Although this scheme by Rep. Schmidt and Speaker Bolger was clearly designed to undermine the election and to perpetrate a ‘fraud’ on the electorate, it was nonetheless legal...While Mr. Mojak ill-advisedly agreed to participate in this misadventure, it is clear that he was duped into doing so and is the least culpable of anyone involved in this fiasco.”[5][6]

In defense of his actions, Bolger told mlive.com "I encouraged a Democrat to be recruited, but the bottom line is that I have always encouraged the law to be followed. This is political gamesmanship and we lost sight that we ought to be focused on the people and bringing them results."[6]

Bolger's opponent, Bill Farmer, has said of the incident, "Speaker Bolger knowingly attempted to deceive the voters by making shady deals behind the scenes with Roy Schmidt. This was a blatantly political move to benefit the Republican Party. This isn’t how our democracy was meant to work."[6]

On July 18, Democrats in the legislature called on Bolger to step down from the position of Speaker. In calling for a resignation, Senator Gretchen Whitmer said, "Regardless of whether charges are ultimately filed, we know that one of Michigan’s highest ranking leaders engaged in unethical and fraudulent behavior, putting personal politics above the good of Michigan... [Bolger and Schmidt] knew what they were doing. They knew it was wrong... And even now that it’s become public, they still refuse to accept the consequences."
[7][8]

Campaign contributions

Recent news

This section displays the most recent stories in a google news search for the term James + Bolger + Michigan + Legislature

All stories may not be relevant to this legislator due to the nature of the search engine.

Loading...

Scorecards

Tea Party Scorecard

The Independent Tea Party Patriots, a Michigan Tea Party group, grades the votes of this and every other Michigan legislator on “core tea party issues” in a regularly-updated scorecard. 100% is considered an ideal rating.[13]

January 2011 - March 2012

James Bolger received a 71% rating on the January 2011 - March 2012 Tea Party Scorecard.[13]

Recall efforts

In early May 2011, the Committee to Recall Rick Snyder took aim at Bolger in an attempt to recall him from office. It did not go to a vote.

On May 10, Autumn Smith submitted language to the Calhoun County Clerk citing Bolger's support for cutting school funding and legislation easing restrictions on voiding public employee contracts.[14]

The Election Commission rejected the petition on May 25, saying the language was unclear and relied too much on opinion.[15] Smith turned in six additional language submissions in June, one of which was to have been considered at a hearing on June 24. The day before it was to occur, Bolger's lawyers were granted a Temporary Restraining Order and Injunction against the election commission, effectively stopping the hearing.[16]

On August 30, Smith announced she was frustrated by the legal process and was ending her recall efforts against Bolger.[17] Just days later, Calhoun County Circuit Court Judge Conrad Sindt rejected Bolger's arguments, allowing the recall process to continue. Smith said she would continue to help if someone else leads the campaign, but that she no longer had the time or resources to lead it herself.[18]